Plate-printing machine



1,540,232 E. P. SHELDON PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1923 4 Sheets-sheaf. l

m INY'ENTOR /D Arr-"vs.

June 2, 192 1,540,232

- l E. P. SHELDON PLATE PRINTING MACHI NE y; ?e a /PM E. P. SHELDON PLATE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1.5, 1923.

4 sheets-sheet z A'r'rYs June 2, 1925 E. P. SHELDON PLATE PRINTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fi led Jan. 15, 1925 A mvzu'ron MW if:

Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITE... star-Es PATENT oFFmE.

unwann r. SHELDON, or pRoo'K-Lrmroni As'sreno'n ro R. iron AND do), or

r aw YCRK, N; Y.,' a CORPORATION on NEW YORK.

PLATE-PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 15, 1923. Serial No. 612,592.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. SHELDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plate-Printing Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a paf-rt of the same. 7

This invention relates to certain improvements in plate printing machines.- 7

In plate printing machines the printing is eftectedfrom a flat engraved plate on which the matter to be printed is disposed below the surface of the plate; This plate has to be inked, then wiped to remove the surplus ink and polished, and then the impression made on the sheet to b'e printed therefrom. Usually these steps are etl'ected by giving" the plate a rectangular movement around a frame in which it is successively passed through the inking, wiping, and polishingmechanisi'ns; and then into positionto make the impression, this impression being effected by means of an impression roll ordinarily known in the plate printing art as a? D-roll, the plate and paper being carried between this roll 'whi'ch is cont-inuonsly driven, and (Io-operating abutment, usually an under roll.

In this type of machine the plate is carried on a bed or carrier, and the frame is rectangular. As the carriers are moved around the frame, which is rectangular, the line of movement of the carriers is neces sarily clian ged abruptly to aims at right angle thereto, and this abrupt change in the movement of the carriers produces an undesirable oscillation otthe carriers" and the heavy wear on the parts bywhioh the carriers are supported and driven;

It is the especial object of the present invention to produce machine in which the carriers may be moved siiccessively under the inking, wiping, polishing, and impression mechanisms with an easy regular movement as distinguished from the abrupt changes in direction present in prior plate printing machines whereby any undesirable oscillation of the carriers and-any undue wear and tear on the parts is eliminatechf and because of which the carriers may be run at a greater speed.

It is a further object of the present inven tion to produce a maohineof this character in which a plurality of plate carriers may be simultaneously driven so that an in creased output of pro'ductsmay be effected.

It is a further object of the present invention to produce a machine in which the inking mechanism is so arranged as to apply the ink wnile the carrier is passing'under the ink roll in a line diagonal to the axis of theroll.

It is a further object of the present in:

vention to provide a construction in which after the impression has been made the edge of the sheet may be lifted from the plate so that it may beeasily seized and removed by'the operator.

It is a further object of the p esent invention to improve the'de'sign or these machinesso that'a strong rigid structure may be produced, and one in which the various mechanisms are readily accessible for re HlOVal and repair.

With theseandother objects not speci'fi'cally referred to, the invent-ion consists in certain novel parts, arrangements, and combinations, a preferred form of which. will be fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features thereof pointed out in the claims hereunto appended. R

In these drawings W Figure 1 is a diagran'nnatio plan View of machine constructed in accordance With the in vention, in which a'plurality of plate carriers are shown and the frames therefor, and the driving mechanism for'driving the carriers on the frames.

Figure 2 is a view similar-toFig. 1, showing part of the construction therein illustrated with tweot the plate carriers in different positions.

Figure 8 isavi'ew similar to 2,- h-

ingan'other poistion of the plate carriers as they advance about the frames.

Figure l is an end elevation, partly in section, the View being taken in the direction of the arrow 4 of Fig. 6.

Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, the view be ing taken in the direction of arrow 5 of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of part of the construction shown in Fig. 5, the view being talren in the direction of arrow 6 of that figure, certain of the mechanisms being removed to show the construction.

Referring now to these drawings, in the machine selected to illustrate the invention there are shown four plate carriers. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not to be restricted to this number, but

. machines embodying a different number of plate carriers than those illustrated, may be constructed within the invention.

In constructions embodying the invention, however, the frames around whichthe plate supports are moved under the various co-operating mechanisms will be constructedsoas to have curved portions and straight portions therebetween, these curved portions being provided at the ends of the straight portions wherethe lineof movement of the particular curvature of these ends may be somewhat varied, in the particular construction illustrated, theyare semi-circular, this form having been found to produce good results in practice and afford an easy and even movement of the carriers as they move about the frames. These frames 1 and 2 are, as shown, spaced apart with the frame 2 inside the frame 1 and these frames are supported on suitable side frames, the frame 1 being supported (see Fig. 4) on side frames 7, 8, and the frame 2 being supported on frames 9 and 10 arranged inside the side frames 7, 8. These frames 1, 2 form guides or tracks around which are driven the plate carriers, the frames 1, 2 being provided respectively with ledges 11 and 12 and guiding shoulders 13 and 14:.

The plate carriers may, of course, vary in construction, but in the particular construction illustrated, they are in the form of beds 15 generally rectangular in shape. The number of these beds may be varied as desired, four such beds being illustrated, and as the construction of these beds will be identical but one bed and its driving conticular construction illustrated, include a fixed bar or stop 16, adjustable side clamps 17, and adjustable end clamps 18 (see Fig. 6), so that various sizes of plates, one of which is indicated at P may be positioned on v the bed.

These plate carriers or beds are arranged to be driven around the tracks and under the various mechanisms which act to effect the printing operation. In accordance with the invention these driving means will be such that each plate carrier is positively driven throughout its course around the frames but independently of any other plate carrier, that is, each carrier is given a positive driving movement throughout its travel. \Vhile the specific construction for effecting this may be varied withincertain limits, in the particular construction illustrated, each carrier has secured thereto 'on' its under side (see particularly Figs. 4 and 6) a rack 19 provided with teeth 20, these teeth extending sidewise from the rack.

In construction embodying the invention in its best form, means are provided for guiding and steadying the swinging movement of the plate carrying bed as it moves about the frame, and additional means are, also, preferably provided for assisting in this and at the same time ensuring the steadiness of the plate carrier durino' the impression. WVhile these means may be varied, in the particular construction illustrated, the racks 20 have secured to their under sides (see Fig; 4) a plate 21 to which is secured a roller 22, this roller bearing against a thrust frame or rim 23 suitably secured to the frames 7, 8, before referred to.

In the best constructions to compensate for any wear of the parts, the plate 21 is slotted, as indicated at 24- in'Fig. 6, and is secured to the rack by clamping screws 27 taking into these slots, by the adjustment of which screws the plate may be suitably adjustedv to ensure contact of the roller with the thrust rim 23.

The additional means for steadying the carrier may be somewhat varied, but in the particular construction illustrated, these means will include a pair of rolls (see F1 6) 28, 29, mounted in brackets 30 secured to the front edge of the plate carrier, these bracketsbeing provided with slots 31 (see Fig. 4) to permit of: the sidewise adjustment of therolls. hese rolls bear against the vertical sides of the ledges 13 and 14:, as clearly shownin Fig. l, and when the carriers are passing through the straight portions of the frame, at which point the impression takes place and acting with the roll 22, provide an efficient steadying device for the carrier so that a good impression is effected. VJhile these rolls are shown on the 5 leading edge of the plate carrieronly, it will be understood that if desired, similar roils may be positioned on the rear edge of the carrier for any purpose desired.

ln machines constructed accordance with the invention, means will be provided whereby a portion of the sheet may be lift cd from the plateafter the impression so that the sheet may be readily grasped by the operator and-removed "rom the plate. While these means may be varied somewhat in construction, in the particular construction illustrated, these means will act on an unprinted portion of the sheet, such as the margin allowed for trimming and, as. shown in the present instance, this will be on the leading edge of the sheet. I For effecting this the plates are formed with apertures or holes through which may be projected pins 32 (see Fig. 5), three pins being preferably provided at the leading edge of the carrier. These pinsare operated to project through the holes and lift the sheet by-means of forked levers 33 carried on a rock shaft 34 secured in bearing-s35 (see Fig. 6) mounted on the front edge of the carrier. This rock shaft may be ope ated in any suitable manher to effect the lifting of the pins. As illustrated there is fast on the shaft an arm 36 in which is mounted acam' roll 3?,which roll is adapted to ride'up'on a plate cam 38 suitably secured on the thrust ring or rim 23, before referred to, the arm 36 being preferably rocked against a spring 39 by which it is returned to normal position. With this construction theleading endof the sheet may be raised free of theprinting plate and removed therefrom in any suitable manner without danger of defacing the sheet. I

In machines constructed in accordance ied, in the particular construction illustrat ed, there are provided apair of relatively large gears 40, 41, best shown in Figs. 1 and 6, and with which the toothed racks '19'engage. In order that these racks may becon 'tinuously and positively driven by thegears, the racks, as shown, project on both sides of-the plate carrier a sufficient distance so that one end of the rack will engage with one of the gears before the other end of the rack goes out of engagement with the other gear. I

With this construction a sinootlncven and particular construction illustrated, the gear 40 ismounted onthe upper portion of-a shaft-42, and the gear 1 is mounted on the upper portion of a shaft '43. These shafts are journalcd attheir upper ends in the frame 2, before referred to, and supported in cross brace frames 44, supported between the frames 9, 10, before referred to and best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, andare journaled at their lower ends in base plates 46. V

These shafts'42, 43 have secured thereto at their lower ends gears 47 and 48 (see Fig. 1) which mesh with and'are driven by an intermediate gear 49. This gear-49 (see Fig. 5) is carried on thelower end-of a short shaft-50 suitably journaled in the base plate 46, before referred to, and the cross braceframe 51. V

To the upper end of this shaft 50 there is secured a mitre gear 52 which is in mesh with and driven by (see Fig. 4) a mitre 53 fast on a cross shaft 54 suitably journaled in the side framesT, 8, before referred to. This shaft 54 has secured on one end a gear 55 and at its other end'has fast thereon a sprocket 56 overwhich passes a chain 57 which in turnpasses to and over a sprocket 58 on the shaft 59 of the impression cylinder or D-roll 60, this shaft 59 being mounted in adjustable bearings 61 supported on the frames 1-, 2,"before referred to, these bearings being adjustable in the usual manner, as by adjusting bolts 62, all as best shown in Fig. 4.

Go-operating with the impression member is a co-operating abutment in the form of impression rolls 63, 64, theserolls being spaced to permit the passage therebetween of the racks 19 and co-operative parts.

These impression rolls are mounted on a shaft65 suitably journaled in adjustable boxes 66 supported in the frames 8, 10, before referred to, these boxes being adjustable by the usual adjusting bolts 67 (see Figs. 4:and*5). 4

"Located below"thecross shaft 54, before referred to,- (see Fig. 4) is a shortshaft-GS suitably journaled in the frames 7, 9, before referred to. On the inner end of this shaft 68 is a gear 69 which is in mesh with a gear 70 on a shaft 71 of a driving m'otor72. This shaft 68 at its other end hasa gear 73 which meshes with the gear 55, before is ferred to. This gear 55 also meshes with a gear 7 4- on a shaft 7 5 suitably journaledin the frames 7, 9, which shaft at its outer end beyond the frame 7' is providedTwith a mitre 76 which meshes with a niitre 77 on a vertical shaft 78 carried in bearings 79 suit-= ablyv secured in the frame 1, before referred to, this shaft 7 8 carrying the operating eccentric not shown, for driving the wiper, indicated by the numeral 80. This wiper as is usual, comprises a wiper belt 81 (see Fig. 5) which passes over the rolls 82, 83, from a supply roll 84 to a receiving roll 85, these parts being mounted in a frame 86 suitably supported'on the frames 1, 2, before referred to, this wiping mechanism be? ing, as illustrated, on. the side of the machine opposite to the impression mechanism, these two mechanisms being arranged at the straight portions. 5 and 6 of the frames 1, 2, before referred to.

In machines constructed in accordance with the invention, the inking mechanism is arranged above one of the curved portions of the frames, the carriers passing under this inking mechanism, the inking mechanism being mounted preferably midway of the frames. lVith the inking mechanism thus positioned the carrier with a plate thereon passes under this inking'mechanism in a position which is diagonal to the axes of the inking rollscat the start and finish of this movement, so that a sort of rough wiping of the plate is effected by the inking roll due to this diagonal movement of the plate.

The inking mechanism may be of any usual or suitable type which is mounted in frames 87 88 (see Fig. 5) suitably supported on the frames 1, 2, before referred to. As shown, this mechanism includes an inking roll 89 mounted in adjustable bearings 90, and a distributing roll 91, this roll being, also, mounted inadjustable bearings 92, and scrapers 93 (see Fig. 1). being provided for removing surplus ink, as is usual.

This inking mechanism may be driven in any suitable or desired manner. In theparticular construction illustrated, the shaft 43, before referred to, has secured thereto a mitre 94 which meshes with a mitre 95 on a shaft 96 secured in brackets 97 suitably mounted in the side frames, this shaft 96 at its outer end being provided with a sprocket 98 over which passes a chain 99, this chain, also, passing over a sprocket 100 on the shaft of the distributor 91, before referred to. If desired thechain may also passo-ver a tension sprocket. 101 onan arm 102 secured to the frame '1, beforereferred to.

flVith the machine constructed in accordance with the invention a regular, even and easy movement may be given the carriers as they move around the frames under the various co-acting' mechanisms, and the carriers are positively'driven independently of each other so that one, twov or more carriers may be employed, as desired, without in any way altering or changing the mechanism. lVhile the invention has been shown and described in whatis believed to be its best form, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the specific structure described without departing from the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is.

1. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and an impression mechanism, a frame having curved ends and straight portions between the ends, a plurality of plate carriers, and means for positively driving the carriers independently of each other about the frames and successively under the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms.

'2. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and. impression mechanism, a frame having curved ends and straight portions between the ends, a plurality of plate carries, a rack for each carrier, and gears engaging the racks and driving the carriers around the frame successively under the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms.

" 3. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, spaced track frames having curved ends and straight portions between the ends, a plurality of plate carriers, guiding devices on the carriers engaging the frames, a rack for each carrier, and gears engaging the racks and driving the carriers around the frames successively under the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms.

4. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanisms, spaced frames having curved ends and straight portions therebetween, a plurality of plate carriers, and means for driving each carrier independentlyof the others successively beneath the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms.

5. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mecha nism, and impression mechanism, a frame having curved ends and straight portions therebetwcen, a plate carrier having a rack, and gearil'lg. arranged to positively drive the carrier successively beneath the inking,wiping, and impression mechanisms.

6. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, spaced frames having curved ends and straight portions therebetween, a plate carrier having a rack, rolls on the carrier engaging the frames, and gearing arranged toengage the rack and positively drive the carrier successively beneath the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms. p

7. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, spaced frames having curved ends and straight porllh pression mechanisms.

8. In a plate printing machine, the combinat1on of inking mechanism, wlpmg mechanism, and impression mechanism inner and outer frames having curved ends and straight portions therebetween, a frame intermediate the inner and outer frames, a plate carrier, a guiding device depending from the carrier and engaging the intermediate frame, and means for driving the carrier successively beneath the inking, Wiping, and impression mechanisms.

9. In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, a plate carrier, means for driving the carrier successively beneath the inking, wiping, and impression mechanisms, and means for lifting a portion of a sheet from a flat plate on the carrier after the carrier has passed the impression mechanism.

10..In a plate printing machine, the combination of inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, a plate carrier, means for driving the carrier successively beneath said mechanisms, lifter pins moving with the carrier arranged to project therethrough for lifting the margin portion of a sheet from a flat plate on the carrier, and a cam for operating the pins.

11. In a plate printing machine, the combination with inking mechanism, Wiping mechanism, and impression mechanism, a support, a plurality of plate carriers, and

means for giving the plate carriers independent travelhng movements around the support so as to pass successively beneath the inking, wiping, and impression members.

12. In a plate printing machine, the combination with inking mechanism, wiping mechanism, andimpression mechanism, of a frame having curved ends and straight portions therebetween, plate carriers movable around the frame, a rack on each carrier, a pair of gears with which the racks engage vertical shafts on which the gears are mounted, driving gears on the shafts, a'gear engaging the driving gears, and a power shaft for driving the gear.

13. In a plate printing machine, the combination of a frame having curved endsand straight portions therebetween, a plate carrier movable around the frame, Wiping mechanism and impression mechanism arranged above the straight portions, an inking mechanism arranged above the curved portion, at one end transverse to the path of movement of the carrier, and means for driving the carrier.

14. In a plate printing machine, the com bination of spaced frames having curved ends and straight portions therebetween, a

plate carrier, a rack therefor, gears with which the rack 1S continuously in mesh, wiping mechanism and impression mechanism arranged above the straight portions, and an inking mechanism arranged above the curved portion at one end transverse to the path of movement of the carrier.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

- EDWARD P. SHELDON. 

